How to Wrap a Gift

27Nov

One thing I’ve always had fun with was gift wrapping! While I know it can be fun for some, I know it can also be a struggle for others. Here are my step by step instructions on how to wrap a gift, I tried to break it down as much as I could for your reference, I hope it helps!

You’ll of course start with your gift. I chose a square box for this, basically any square or rectangular box can be wrapped in the way I’m about to show you. You’ll choose your wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and ribbons if you want to add any later. When it comes to the wrapping paper it might be easier on yourself to choose some that has guide lines printed on the back, this will make it easier for you to cut in straight lines. I also like to start with the top of my gift facing down, the bottom facing up.

When I’m cutting my paper to fit the gift, I cut it into a rectangular shape. The length of the paper (left to right) will be wrapped around to the back so I measure one side that reaches past the center of the present and the shorter side is cut to be right in the center. The width of the paper (top to bottom) is based off the height of the box. When the box is placed in the center, there should be an equal amount of space on the top and bottom. I measure each side to be about half the height of the box.

This side reaches past the center of the gift, it helps to crease the edges when you fold it like this so, if the gift moves you have a point of reference.

The top and bottom should be half the height of the gift or a little more than half.

The short side of the length of wrapping paper should reach the center of the gift, if it’s not perfectly centered it’s not a big deal!

Tape down the longest side first, I usually only use one piece of tape right in the middle, but you can also use a small piece to tape it down near each end if you’re worried about it moving around.

Wrap the opposite length of paper around the back and tape it in the middle.

Press the side of the paper right down the middle, I didn’t put any tape here but you can if it will help you keep it in place.

Tightly fold the paper down and against the box so that the crease lies against the side edge of the box so the side flap is sticking out straight like this.

Fold the side piece in toward the gift and make a crease that’s even with the bottom edge of the gift.

Repeat on the same on the other side.

Hopefully at this point your gift will look similar to this!

You will fold the flap up as tight as you can (careful not to rip the paper!) and hold onto it with one hand while taping it with the other.

If you already know how to do this part you can skip to the bottom, but if you don’t know how to tie a bow around a present this is it! I just keep the gift facing down with the crease facing up and slide the ribbon/string underneath and toward the center.

You’ll cross the strings in opposite directions, try to keep it centered, and flip the gift over.

You’ll tie it just like you tie your shoes!

And there you are! I hope these directions weren’t too confusing, feel free to let me know if you have any questions or want to know more about how to wrap a gift!

I get the struggle! What I like to do for those odd shaped items (basically anything that you don’t have a box for), is I use tissue paper and I wrap them to look like candy, or those holiday crackers. You roll the item up, tie off each end with colorful ribbon and there ya go!

You know what – I really needed this post. I’m damn hopeless at wrapping a present and it always ends up looking like a child did the wrapping – only they could probably wrap better than me! Going to try your tips!

This is awesome! I love the times during the year I can practice the crisp edges and perfect fit wrapping but always feel like it could have been better…the way you do your sides looks so neat I tend to do more of a triangle like fold that leaves it loose on the corners.. anyways I’m glad you posted this keep em comin! Also makes me need to try bows next haha

This is exactly the method I use for wrapping gifts too! My mom taught it to me years ago. My husband is not so great at wrapping gifts, so I am in charge of wrapping the gifts from Santa for the boys since I do a better job of it!